‘Destiny’ Iron Banner 16.0: Clash Of The Guardians, What You Need To Know

Iron Banner has come back for a quick return in Destiny after just a three-week break. PlayStation and Xbox players can thank the shortened month of February combined with a fortuitous placement of dates. However, Bungie can be thanked for bringing the Clash game type back to the monthly event along with some other tweaks.

The new matchmaking tweaks that Bungie began rolling out to Destiny last week will be available with this Iron Banner. Additionally, the Damage Referee that attempts to ensure laggy players do not gain an upper hand in battles is also in effect for this event.

Bungie has also introduced some fixes to Iron Banner for minor glitches that have been bugging Destiny players during the last few events. However, a new issue was introduced, according to the following notes from last week’s news post.

Lord Saladin will now display a waypoint when Rank 3 and Rank 5 packages are available

Please Note: Players will lose Rank 3 packages if they are not retrieved before reaching Rank 5

When Does It Run?

This Iron Banner event started Tuesday, February 23 and will run until the Destiny weekly reset on Tuesday, March 1. This typically occurs at 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT.

What Modes And Maps Are Supported?

Bungie is bringing Clash back for a second go-round in Iron Banner. This was previously used in November’s event with great appreciation from the game’s community who had become weary of Control used in every outing.

While not as team-oriented as Rift in the last Iron Banner, working with a fireteam does increase your chance of success. Consider running with a group of friends, a clan, or a pickup group from sites such as the100 and DestinyLFG.

Rewards

As the Inquisitrpreviously reported, Bungie has made Iron Banner more rewarding for players with the following changes from the 2.0.2 update.

Iron Banner reputation from winning matches increased by 20 percent.

Activity completion rewards increased at all ranks, with even more significant increases at Rank 2 and above.

Packages from Lord Saladin upon reaching Rank 3 and Rank 5.

Iron Banner Artifacts can be obtained from the Rank 3 package.

Iron Banner Ghost Shells can be obtained from the Rank 5 package or activity completion rewards.

Here is the end-match reward breakdown for the current Iron Banner:

Rank 2 – Gauntlets, PlayStation Gauntlets

Rank 3 – Helmet, Sniper Rifle

Rank 4 – Rocket Launcher

Does Gear And Level Still Matter?

Yes. Bungie Senior Designer Derek Carroll provided an overview of how power levels in Iron Banner have changed with the introduction of the new Light level system implemented with Destiny 2.0. Essentially, a difference in 10 levels of light represents approximately a two percent difference in damage. Another way of looking at it is if you are at a 280 Light level facing off against someone at a 300 Light level, you will be at a four percent damage disadvantage.

The approximately two percent damage drop in every 10 levels of light continues until a 50 light level difference represents a 10 percent difference in damage. It then gets slightly steeper, to a 2.6 percent damage drop per Light level over the next 100 Light levels. We reach a light level difference. The Destiny power curve then goes into free fall at this point, with every 10 levels representing a 10 percent power difference.

In short, you will probably stay competitive within 20 light levels of a player you are facing and can still do damage up to a 50 light level difference. After that, you are probably looking at getting stomped. Since most Destiny players are hovering around 300 Light right now, it’s probably a safe bet that 280 Light is the safest starting point, though 230 is listed as the minimum recommended Light level, with a required level of 40.

Your Standing Has Been Reset?

Yes. All Destiny players start each Iron Banner event with their reputation at zero. You max out at level five.

Iron Banner Ranks

You start out at rank 0 and should be able to quickly reach rank 1 after the first win. The climb to the max rank is a bit steeper but still obtainable thanks to all the buffs added to Destiny.

IB Rank

Reputation Points Needed

1

100 rep points

2

1,200 rep points

3

2,400 rep points

4

2,400 rep points

5

2,400 rep points

Equip Your Iron Banner Items

If you still have the Iron Banner emblem, shader, and class item, go ahead and equip them. The Destiny Year One items still count. Each gives a 10 percent experience and reputation boost, and they do stack with each other for the possibility of a 33 percent total bonus. If you don’t have any Iron Banner items yet, purchase the Iron Pride emblem from Lord Saladin as soon as you reach rank one to begin earning bonus experience and reputation points.

Name

Type

Cost

IB Rank

Iron Pride

Emblem

1000 Glimmer

1

Million Million

Armor Shader

1000 Glimmer

2

The Ironwood Tree

Emblem

1000 Glimmer

5

Goldspiral

Armor Shader

1000 Glimmer

5

The Tempered Buff

The Iron Banner Tempered Buff is now applied automatically to Destiny characters every day.

Here’s the progression that the Tempered Buff should follow, based on the last Destiny Iron Banner event.

Tuesday: +10 percent

Wednesday: +15 percent

Thursday: +25 percent

Friday: +40 percent

Saturday: +60 percent

Sunday: +100 percent

Monday: +150 percent

Multi-Character Buff

Your second and third Destiny characters can receive a 100 percent reputation boost in addition to all the other buffs when playing Iron Banner. The buff is active as long as one or more of your characters are at least one Iron Banner rank ahead of the character being played.

For example, if you get one character up to level 3, your second and third Destiny character will be able to reach the same level in approximately half the time. This is especially true when combined with all of the other buffs.

Iron Banner Weapons

[Image via Bungie]

Both weapons being sold by Lord Saladin this Iron Banner have excellent rolls. If you don’t receive a good drop from the event, there is nothing wrong with taking either of these and leveling up their Light.

Note that you also have a chance to receive other weapons as end-of-match drops after you reach Iron Banner reputation rank two. This is the best way to obtain Iron Banner weapons in Destiny as there is a chance for them to drop at high Light levels.

Iron Banner Armor

Here is the armor that is being sold by Lord Saladin in Destiny. Note that they all start with a Defense rating of 280. They can be infused to higher levels just like the weapons, though.

You should not break down any of these armor items, as you will not receive Shards or any other additional material. Also, like the weapons, end of match drops are the best way to obtain Iron Banner armor at high Light levels.

It’s also worth noting that PlayStation owners of Destiny will have the opportunity to get exclusive gear.

Iron Banner Bounties

Destiny changed the daily bounties for Iron Banner with the release of The Taken King. There are now three-week-long bounties, along with three daily bounties that are available each day. The daily bounties come from a pool of nine to allow for a little more variation than in previous events.

Tip: Wait to turn in the Weekly bounties toward the end of the week to make the most of the Tempered Buff to boost your character up to level 5.

Remember that Crucible bounties can be completed in Iron Banner too. Destiny players will want to pick those up to advance their reputation with the different factions and gain additional experience.

Bounty Name

Description

IB Rep

Experience

Legendary Marks

Iron Gauntlet (Weekly)

Impress Lord Saladin with extraordinary feats in the Iron Banner. Get 10 kill streaks, 5 double kills, the top overall score in a match, and reach Iron Banner Rank 4.

+525

+5,000

+25

Iron Marathon (Weekly)

Complete 13 Iron Banner matches and win 7.

+525

+5,000

+25

Iron Versatility (Weekly)

Defeat 50 Guardians with Primary Weapons, 25 with Special Weapons and 13 with Heavy Weapons.

+525

+5,000

+25

Iron Medallions

Destiny players will receive an Iron Medallion for each match you lose in Iron Banner. You can carry up to five at a time in your inventory. These will be redeemed automatically after your next win for Iron Banner reputation.

If you still have Medallions left over after Iron Banner ends, hold on to them. They can still be redeemed when the next event rolls around.

Is The Taken King Required?

Yes. The Iron Banner has a level 40 requirement to participate and uses maps from the expansion. The only way that can be achieved is with the purchase of Destiny: The Taken King.

Good Luck!

Do you have any Destiny Iron Banner tips you want to share? Please post them in the comments section below!